This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
